Newly revealed figures show that more than £255,000 of National Lottery funding was awarded across St Albans last year alone.

17 lottery grants were given out across the area during 2015, providing a vital boost to arts, sports and heritage projects alongside community groups helping those most in need.

Projects in St Albans which received National Lottery grants last year include £10,000 to Harpenden Free School for outdoor play equipment and £9, 950 to Transition St Albans, an environmental group, to educate young people about climate change.

From today, these examples, or any organisation that has ever received National Lottery funding, have the possibility of gaining nationwide acclaim by entering The National Lottery Awards 2016.

National Lottery Awards winners will receive a £3,000 cash prize and national recognition at a glittering ceremony broadcast on BBC One in October.

John Barrowman, presenter of last year’s National Lottery Awards show, said: “The National Lottery Awards offer an unmissable opportunity to give outstanding projects their timer to shrine. If you can think of a great Lottery-funded project, please nominate them for an award.

“All these fantastic projects are funded by National Lottery players – every one of you should feel proud to raise an astounding £34 million a week, which provides much needed support to such life-changing work.”

National Lottery Awards are given across seven categories – sport, heritage, arts, environment, health, education and voluntary or charity – to reflect the range of funding that the lottery gives out.

To nominate your favourite project in this year’s National Lottery Awards, tweet @LottoGoodCauses with your suggestions or call 0207 293 3599 to find more and to enter.

Entries must be received by midnight on March 9.